Drive-by shooting suspects charged with attempted murder

After the two men were arrested one week ago on a variety of charges, District Attorney Daina Vitolins adds the more serious charge

Two men arraigned for a drive-by shooting that took place Sunday, July 28, have been charged with attempted murder. Crook County District Attorney Daina Vitolins noted on Friday that the two Redmond men, William A. Neason, 21, and Dillon Ruhl, 19, were arraigned last Friday. The men were indicted on one count of Attempted Murder, three counts of Unlawful Use of a Weapon With a Firearm, three counts of Menacing, eight counts of Recklessly Endangering Another Person, Pointing a Firearm at Another, and Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree. Vitolins said that security was reduced from $350,000 to $250,000, and they were arraigned on a Grand Jury Indictment. The next hearing will be Aug. 28, at the Crook County Courthouse. Crook County Undersheriff John Gautney said that in order to make the charge of attempted murder at the time of arrest, they have to show that the offenders intended to kill the victim (or victims) of the crime. “We didn’t have the information that would support that at the time of the arrest.” He said that there wasn’t any proof of intent at that time, but once the men went in for arraignment, the District Attorney had added the charges. The District Attorney was not available for comment on Monday as to the reason for the charge of Attempted Murder. Gautney said that it will now be on the burden of the state to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that there was intent to kill. “It’s up to the evidence that the jury gets to hear, whether or not they make that decision.” He added that for law enforcement, they need 51 percent assurance to show probable cause. Probable cause is the legal standard by which a law enforcement officer has the right to make an arrest. Probable Cause requires facts or evidence that would lead a reasonable person to believe that a suspect has committed a crime. However, he emphasized that a person can’t be convicted on probable cause. The two Redmond men were taken into custody following a drive-by shooting on Sunday, July 28 in Prineville. Although no people were struck by gunfire, at least one bullet struck the residence and several other bullets struck a vehicle parked in the driveway. There were six people present in the house when the shots were fired. The incident is still under investigation.